Rescue teams at the site near Humayun’s Tomb after a building roof collapsed in Nizamuddin, Delhi (PTI)
A tense evening gripped the Nizamuddin area of Delhi on Friday when part of a building near the historic Humayun's Tomb complex collapsed.
The mishap took place outside the grounds of the monument and has left several people trapped under the debris. Authorities confirmed that eight to twelve people were rescued, with efforts still going on late into the night.
Five people were killed after of roof of a tomb collapsed in Evening. The building was the Dargah Sharif Patte Shah which is located inside a 16th century complex of religious structures and garden housing Mughal ruler Humayun's Mausoleum.
According to the Delhi Fire Services, a distress call was received at 4:30 pm, in which the initial information spoke of the falling dome, but, as they later checked, found out that it was the roof of an adjacent structure that caved in. Within minutes, police officers, firefighters and local responders were already at the scene, searching and rescue operations.
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Eyewitness Vishal Kumar, who works at the tomb, remembers the event in which their experience can be collated and make up a story out of it: "We heard a loud crash, and my supervisor rushed over. We quickly gathered people to help and started pulling those trapped out with the administration's assistance."
DCP (Southeast) confirmed to the media that between 10 and 12 people were pulled out of rubble.
"The Station House Officer and local police staff were on site within five minutes," said the DCP, highlighting the speed of the initial response. Soon, teams from the Fire Department, CATS ambulances, and the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) joined forces to ensure a thorough search of the wreckage.
Although, the collapse has not caused any direct damage to Humayun's Tomb, a World Heritage Site recognized by UNESCO; the close proximity of the incident has raised safety and structural concern in the heritage-rich area of Nizamuddin.
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Experts believe the incident stands as a sharp reminder that old buildings near cultural landmarks need to be inspected regularly as increased tourist and local activity will strain already outdated infrastructures.
While the rescue continues, questions will linger over what caused the building to collapse and whether structural neglect was part of the cause. An in-depth investigation by authorities should look into building safety compliance, especially in the area.
Right now, however, emergency services in Delhi will certainly have prevented what could have been a far greater tragedy. The event reminds urbanites about vigilance in the upkeep of their modern and historic structures so that heritage sites remain safe for residents, workers and tourists.
